Antique Remington Typewriters

E. Remington & Sons was founded in 1816 and throughout the nineteenth century was a respected American producer of firearms and sewing machines.History & Description

Following the invention of the Sholes & Glidden typewriter in 1867, the patent was sold to E. Remington & Sons in order for the product to be commercialised and mass-produced.

The first commercial typewriter, which also featured the QWERTY keyboard, was sold in 1873. The successive model, produced in 1878, was the first typewriter to include both upper and lower case letters via a shift key.

The Standard Typewriter Manufacturing Company Inc. purchased the E. Remington & Sons typewriter business and the rights to use the Remington name in 1886. The company changed its name to Remington Typewriter Company in 1902 and would later merge with Rand Kardes Company to form Remington Rand in 1927.

Guide for collectors

Surprisingly, despite the historical significance of antique Remington typewriters, they are not the most valuable items in this market as collectors often seek typewriters made by obscure and small companies.

As a result, when sold at auction, antique Remington typewriters typically sell for around $500. However, it is not uncommon for typewriters manufactured as early as the 1920s to be sold for less than $75.

While it is extremely easy to identify a typewriter's brand, determining its age and year can be more difficult. Collectors should try to locate the serial and model numbers that are usually located at the base of the typewriter.

Notable auction sales

On April 12th 2006 at James Adams & Sons in Dublin, Ireland, a portable Remington typewriter contained in a fitted travelling case realised a price of €19,000. The typewriter had once belonged to Michael Collin when he served as Ireland’s Minister for Finance from 1918 to 1920.

On November 19th 2011 at Auction Team Breker in Koeln, Germany, an early Remington Standard No. 4 typewriter with uppercase letters only, made in 1879 was sold for €1,000.

On June 18th 2005, a Remington Standard No. 2, circa 1879, realised a price of €450 through Auction Team Breker in Koeln, Germany.